Owner/trainer Eric Kruljac's talented California-bred The Chosen Vron heads a field of four sophomores going 6 ½ furlongs in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Lazaro Barrera Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.
Named for the late Hall of Fame trainer who conditioned 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed, the Barrera, originally run at Hollywood Park in 1981, will be run for the 41st time and for the eighth time at Santa Anita on Saturday.
Juddmonte Farms' homebred Laurel River, a sharp 6 ½-furlong maiden winner in his second start on April 3 rates a solid chances as well.
The Chosen Vron, a chestnut gelding by the recently deceased Vronsky, was a scintillating first-out maiden winner at Santa Anita on Dec. 27, taking a 6 ½-furlong maiden special versus California-breds by 6 ¾ lengths. Subsequently third, beaten 3 ¼ lengths by top sophomore Concert Tour going seven panels in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes Feb. 6, The Chosen Vron was much the best in a 1 ¼-length win versus statebreds in the 6 ½-furlong Echo Eddie Stakes April 3.
Owned by Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker and Richard Thornburgh, The Chosen Vron is out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Tiz Molly. With two wins and a third from three starts, he has earnings of $150,600.
Trained by Bob Baffert, Laurel River, a Kentucky-bred colt by Into Mischief, out of the Empire Maker mare Calm Water, Laurel River pressed the early pace en route to a resounding 4 ¼ length maiden score, earning a Barerra-best 92 Beyer Speed figure in the process. In what will be his third start, Laurel River figures to be head and head in the betting with The Chosen Vron.
GRADE 3 LAZARO BARRERA, WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS
IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 3 of 10 Approximate post time 1:30 p.m. PT
- Wipe the Slate- Mario Gutierrez – 120
- Laurel River – Abel Cedillo-120
- The Chosen Vron –Umberto Rispoli- 124
- I'll Stand Taller – Juan Hernandez-120
Early first post time for a 10-race card on Saturday, Preakness Stakes Day, is at 12:30 p.m. PT. Admission gates will open early at 7 a.m., with Infield admission gates open at 9 a.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
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